After an ugly loss in Minnesota last night, a game that featured a lackluster offensive performance (their sole run came off a Jeter solo shot) and yet another sub-par defensive showing (they've made 7 errors in the last 7 games now), the Yanks are back to an even .500 record. A win tonight will give them a series win and of course the chance to boost their ranking in the standings and they'll be able to cruise into their homestand and Joba's starting debut on a high note.

It's going to be crucial for Pettitte to have a quality and lengthy start tonight, because Joba's innings will be limited tomorrow and the bullpen better be ready to pitch about 4 innings. I have a feeling that whether he's looking good or not, Girardi is going to keep him out there so he doesn't wear out his relievers. A necessary move, surely, but it could spell trouble for the Yanks tonight if Dandy Andy can't hack it. Solution: GET SOME HITS.

While Farnsworthless does indeed live up to that name, the Yanks can't leave runners all over the bases. This game should have been a laugher, but instead they left 7 in scoring position. They need to start coming up with 2 out hits if they're going to get on any kind of run. I have definite concerns about their lack of ability to string together hits with any consistency. While Andy should have been able to hold the lead he was given (3 times!) the bats have to get going.

In 2009 Curtis Granderson published a book: All You Can Be: Dream It, Draw It, Become It! Granderson "shares the lessons that he learned growing up--the importance of family and choosing the right friends, the power of listening and staying positive, and most important, the value of being yourself."